Daily Bible Reflections
for July 14, 2016
;

Dear Friend,

This Thursday, remember that He knows you and loves you.

Praying for you,

Bo Sanchez



14
July
Thursday
TODAY'S READINGS:

DIDACHE | COMPANION | SABBATH
DIDACHE

 

WEHHH?
 

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28

 

       “You know what? You’ll be traveling to the U.A.E. early next year!” a friend of mine with the gift of vision prophesied to me one morning.

       “Wehhh?!” I asked in doubt. Then, a sudden rush of worry flowed into me. How would I pay for the plane fare and other travel expenses? Where will I get my allowance?

       Did you see what I did there? Instead of embracing the exciting news, I resorted to anxiety.

       I have to admit, I am a big worrier.

   Have you ever felt worried? It’s one of the worse feelings. The uncertainty of how things will turn out eats me up. It burdens me and makes me feel restless.

     But, that same friend reminded me about this fact — that God provides where He leads. That all we have to do is give our best and put our full trust in Him.

       Friends, today, I am happy to share with you that God fulfilled that prophecy. I am writing this entry from the United Arab Emirates. So I invite you to stop the worry cycle and expect blessings to come your way. Erika Mendoza (epaulmendoza@gmail.com)

 

Reflection: “Worry is like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do but never gets you anywhere.” (Erma Bombeck)

 

Lord, teach me to stop worrying and start trusting You.

 
St. Kateri Tekakwitha, pray for us.
 

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COMPANION

 

1ST READING
 
 

Isaiah praises those who live righteously and assures them of their heavenly reward. Unfortunately, this is the reality we have to contend with. Our reward is more likely going to be in heaven and not here on earth. We may taste a bit of it here but ultimately our fulfillment will be in heaven.

 

Isaiah 26:7-9, 12, 16-19

7 The way of the just is smooth; the path of the just you make level. 8 Yes, for your way and your judgments, O Lord, we look to you; your name and your title are the desire of our souls. 9 My soul yearns for you in the night, yes, my spirit within me keeps vigil for you; when your judgment dawns upon the earth, the world’s inhabitants learn justice. 12 O Lord, you mete out peace to us, for it is you who have accomplished all we have done. 16 O Lord, you mete out peace to us, for it is you who have accomplished all we have done. O Lord, oppressed by your punishment, we cried out in anguish under your chastising. 17 As a woman about to give birth writhes and cries out in her pains, so were we in your presence, O Lord. 18 We conceived and writhed in pain, giving birth to wind; salvation we have not achieved for the earth, the inhabitants of the world cannot bring it forth. 19 But your dead shall live; their corpses shall rise. Awake and sing, you who lie in the dust. For your dew is a dew of light, and the land of shades gives birth.

 
P S A L M
 

Psalm 102:13-14, 15, 16-18, 19-21

R: From heaven the Lord looks down on the earth.

12 [13] You, O Lord, abide forever, and your name through all generations. 13 [14] You will arise and have mercy on Zion, for it is time to pity her. 14 [15] For her stones are dear to your servants, and her dust moves them to pity. (R) 15 [16] The nations shall revere your name, O Lord, and all the kings of the earth your glory, 16 [17] when the Lord has rebuilt Zion and appeared in his glory; 17 [18] when he has regarded the prayer of the destitute, and not despised their prayer. (R) 18 [19] Let this be written for the generation to come, and let his future creatures praise the Lord: 19 [20] The Lord looked down from his holy height, from heaven he beheld the earth 20 [21] to hear the groaning of the prisoners, to release those doomed to die. (R)

 
GOSPEL
 

Jesus promises to help us with our burdens. This gives us hope, especially when we are struggling. Jesus will never abandon someone who humbly comes to Him for help. Jesus’ call is always accompanied by the grace to make it happen. We have a mighty and generous God. Let us always avail of the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord.

 

Matthew 11:28-30

28 Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and  I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

think: Jesus will never abandon someone who humbly comes to Him for help.

 
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: __________________

 
____________________________________
 
God’s special verse/thought for me today_
_____________________________________
 
 

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 2 Chronicles 33-34

 

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SABBATH

 

THE YOKE OF CHRIST

 

As always, Jesus invites. He never forces anybody. He simply invites: “Come to Me!”

       No degree is required, no entrance exam, no interview that will decide our future; just a simple and kind invitation. An invitation to what? To rest. Fine so far. But then Jesus speaks about a yoke. Rest and at the same time carry a yoke like a carabao? Is Jesus kidding?

       How would the first listeners have reacted to Jesus’ words? They must have been shocked. Yokes were used for oxen to do heavy work. Also, the word “yoke” in Scripture is used for unpleasant realities: for the burden of the law, for slavery, for oppression by a foreign ruler.

       And so Jesus had to explain. Yes, following Him is not a leisurely stroll in the park. Following Him means, as He told us another time, to take up one’s cross daily in order to follow Him. But He is “meek and humble,” and with Him, in spite of the yoke, He promises us to find rest. He is different from an oppressive ruler or a slave master. Working for them will not bring any merit or reward, while taking up the light yoke of Jesus, there is a great reward waiting: eternal joy in the presence of God. St. Paul wrote about this to the Corinthians: “For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison…” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

       It sounds banal but it’s the reality: Life is not easy — for most of us. Sickness, times of feeling burned out, frustration, family or monetary problems weigh us down. The main problem is that we focus too easily on these negative experiences which are only temporary. God allows them to make us stronger, but they are not the end. Jesus wants us to consider all these as “light yokes” — yokes that prepare us for the eternal bliss and peace we will experience with Him in heaven. Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Are you weary and burdened? Are you burned out and just going through the motions? Go to Jesus and find comfort in Him.

 

Lord, I often do not look beyond my present difficulties. Your word makes me aware that I cannot escape them but that they are steps to heaven. Thank You. Amen.

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